Marine Biology Educational Facility Opened in Dominican Republic

Teaneck, NJ (June 15, 2004) — A new marine biology educational facility has been established in the Dominican Republic by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Natural Sciences.

The facility, on the Samana Peninsula on the northeast corner of the Dominican Republic, is part of the Tambora Beach Resort. The University will occupy one building, newly named “FDU Hall.” Students will use the resort dining facilities as well as the computer center.

“This beautiful peninsula offers a small salt marsh area and coral reef adjacent to the FDU facility,” said Dr. Irwin Isquith, executive director for global partnerships and director, School of Natural Sciences. “There is a barrier reef on the north end of the peninsula and many of the beaches are in coves surrounded by large rocks that attract many invertebrate animals, including snails, barnacles and mussels. A mangrove area is nearby, so we have a variety of ecosystems for our students.”

The Samana facility will operate from September to December. Four tropical marine courses will be taught sequentially by FDU faculty, covering vegetation, vertebrates, invertebrates, and ecosystems. A research project and an optional online course will provide marine biology majors with a full schedule of classes.

“There are real advantages to the Dominican Republic facility,” Isquith said. “The students have access to a broad range of undisturbed habitats for study. In addition, we have a facility with very good living conditions. And there is a bonus —our students will experience living in a different culture. This fulfills the mission of the University — to educate global citizens and prepare them to contribute to the 21st century.”

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo destroyed the University’s marine biology laboratory on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Since that time, FDU marine biology students gained their field experience at the University of Hawaii (Hilo), Shoals Lab in the Gulf of Maine (run by Cornell University and the University of New Hampshire) or Duke University’s marine station.